After a contentious almost two-hour meeting on Tuesday Jan. 24, the Augusta Commission deadlocked on approving a contract with Gold Cross EMS to continue service in the consolidated city.
As a result, Gold Cross has submitted its resignation to the Georgia Board of Health, according to Augusta Mayor Pro Tem Brandon Garrett and Gold Cross Vice President Steven Vincent.
Augusta Mayor Garnett Johnson says that while he acknowledges the city is now in a crisis in terms of now having to come up with a new plan for emergency services, no one should be worried about receiving immediate care if necessary. By law, Gold Cross must continue to provide services for the next 30 days.
“I am displeased, of course, that the commission could not reach a consensus, but that does not mean that calls to 911 will go unanswered. We will figure this thing out. I am disappointed, but we still have room to negotiate,” Johnson said.
District 1 Commissioner Jordan Johnson, who voted against the motion to approve a contract, agrees with the mayor and says he believes more deliberation is necessary to come to a final solution.
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“I want everyone to know that I am not against Gold Cross. I support them, but I need to see the information that warrants them getting that subsidy every year. I am just looking out for the taxpayers, and I want to see the information. They haven’t provided that,” Commissioner Johnson said.
District 5 Commissioner Bobby Williams led the effort to sever ties with Gold Cross EMS, and he did so with such drama that led to a call to have him removed from the commission chamber.
During the meeting, Mayor Johnson repeatedly had to call Williams out of order for his vocal outbursts, including his accusation that a the ambulance company violated the law by asking for an “inducement.”
The “inducement” referred to the payment the EMS provider would receive up front to cover past expenses for transporting patients who never paid for the service.
District 3 Commissioner Catherine McKnight took particular offense to Williams’ behavior as he ranted with the mayor repeatedly calling him out of order.
“It was so disrespectful. That is not how adults act, especially in a public forum where it is being broadcast. Bobby Williams showed no respect to anyone and basically confirmed what Sylvia Cooper said about him in her colum,” McKnight said.
At one point McKnight suggested Williams be kicked out of the meeting, but such a scenario can only occur with majority vote by the commission unless a commissioner commits a crime, according to Augusta Marshall Ramone Lamkin.
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A motion proposed by Garrett to accept a contract negotiated by the city and Gold Cross was amended by Garrett to clarify that the $1.95 million up-front payment to the ambulance service was for training and to purchase new vehicles and was not intended to be a gratuity as Williams alleged. The motion also included a $1.95 million subsidy per year to cover costs.
The vote failed with Williams abstaining, denying the mayor a vote in the matter.
The stalemate ended with a bold statement by the mayor.
“The mayor of Augusta needs to have a vote. I campaigned on this and now I need the support of the voters. The mayor of Augusta needs to have a vote in these matters, otherwise we will remain in this gridlock,” Johnson said.
Scott Hudson is the senior reporter for The Augusta Press. Reach him at scott@theaugustapress.com
